Dearly Departed by Chip Pons: My Honest Book Review
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⭐ Quick Verdict
⭐ My Rating: 3.5 ★
💭 Quick Take: A charming queer rom-com that blends Greek mythology, heartfelt grief representation, and a swoony grumpy-sunshine romance with plenty of steam.
👉 Read If You Love: Queer grumpy-sunshine romances, found family, Greek mythology retellings, emotional healing journeys, fun banter
🚫 Skip if: You dislike third-act breakups that feel unnecessary or want every fantasy element fully explained
Book Details
Release Date: June 2026
Genre: Queer Romance
Tropes: Grumpy Sunshine, Opposites Attract, Found Family
Steam Level: Moderate
What This Book Is About
Levi may be the perpetually cheerful florist in town, but beneath his sunny exterior is years of unresolved grief that he’s carefully hidden from everyone around him.
Across town, Hayden spends his days running a funeral home and keeping everyone at arm’s length. As a retired god living quietly among humans, he’s become comfortable with loneliness until Levi decides he’s not going to let Hayden hide quite so easily. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, both men discover that healing, connection, and second chances often arrive when you least expect them.
My Review of Dearly Departed
Chip Pons is quickly becoming a must-read voice in queer romance, and the moment I saw this was a Hades-inspired rom-com featuring a retired god working as a grumpy funeral director, I was immediately sold.
What worked best for me was the relationship between Levi and Hayden. This is grumpy sunshine done right. Levi’s warmth feels genuine rather than over-the-top, and I appreciated that his optimism wasn’t presented as effortless. Underneath all that sunshine is a man carrying significant grief, which gave his character much more depth.
Hayden was equally compelling. It was impossible not to feel the weight of his isolation and loneliness as he kept himself removed from the people around him. Watching Levi slowly chip away at the walls Hayden had built around himself made for a genuinely satisfying romance.
Their chemistry was both sweet and surprisingly hot. Chip continues to write excellent romantic tension, and I especially loved how Hayden’s shadows were incorporated into some of the steamier moments. It added a unique touch that felt perfectly suited to the story’s mythology-inspired foundation.
The supporting cast also deserves a mention. Dominic and Elijah consistently brought humor whenever they appeared, helping balance some of the heavier emotional themes surrounding grief and loneliness.
For readers who enjoy Greek mythology, Chip does a fantastic job imagining how the gods might exist in a contemporary setting. The mythology elements feel accessible and fun without overwhelming the romance.
That said, there were a few aspects that didn’t fully work for me. I found myself somewhat confused by Hayden’s central conflict and his interactions with the Fates. I also struggled to understand the reasoning behind the third-act breakup, which lessened the emotional payoff of the ending.
Even so, the heart of this story is the relationship between two lonely men helping each other heal, and that’s where the book shines.
What I Loved
- The grumpy sunshine and opposites-attract dynamic
- A creative contemporary take on Greek gods living among humans
- Thoughtful and realistic exploration of grief
- Hayden’s shadows woven into the romance and steam
- Dominic and Elijah’s humor and friendship
Things to Know Before You Read
- Features themes of grief, loss, and loneliness
- Medium steam with some creative fantasy elements
- Greek mythology plays a significant role in the storyline
- Includes a third-act breakup
- Can be enjoyed even if you’re not deeply familiar with Greek mythology
Final Thoughts
While I had some questions about Hayden’s character arc and found the third-act breakup a bit frustrating, I still had a great time with this book.
The combination of mythology, grief, found family, humor, and romance created a reading experience that felt both unique and emotionally satisfying. If you’re looking for a queer grumpy-sunshine romance with heart, steam, and a fresh take on Greek mythology, this is definitely worth picking up.
Chip Pons continues to prove that he’s one of the most exciting voices in queer romance, and I’ll absolutely be reading whatever he writes next.
More Books by Chip:
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